Whitley Warriors take the Sting out of Sutton

Chris Mackenzie – Whitley Warriors correspondent

Published:12:55Tuesday 20 October 2015

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Whitley Warriors secured a narrow win at Sutton Sting as they edged a five-goal contest.

The visitors were without three senior players for the NIHL North Division 1 match, however, player-coach David Longstaff still had a large pool of players to choose from given the strength of the Whitley roster.

The opening period saw both sides get on the scoresheet as import Slavs Movko fired home for Sutton while DJ Good grabbed a goal for Warriors in a period in which both sides generated a number of offensive opportunities.

Callum Watson then grabbed Warriors’ second goal of the game after 34 minutes, picking up a rebound in front of the net on a powerplay opportunity after the home side had Ryan Johnson sent to the sin bin for tripping.

Warriors’ powerplay was working well and when Sutton’s Movko was penalised for slashing by referee Liptrott midway through the third period, Whitley extended their lead to 3-1 when defenceman Josh Maddock netted with a powerful shot with Longstaff and Harry Harley picking up the assists.

Sutton were able to pull a goal back late on through the tricky Movko, however, Whitley claimed the two points on offer against a resolute Sting outfit.

Warriors’ DJ Good was selected as their man of the match for his hard working display.

Whitley remain unbeaten this season and sit second in NIHL North Division 1 with a total of 13 points from the seven games, one place and three points behind Blackburn Hawks, who have won all eight of their league games so far.

Warriors are in action twice this weekend as Longstaff’s side head north of the border to face Solway Sharks in Dumfries on Saturday night before the first Tyne Tees derby of the season on home ice at Hillheads the following evening on Sunday when Billingham Stars travel to Tyneside.

Tickets for Warriors’ home games are £8.50 for adults and £6.50 for children while a family ticket is £24.